Frustrated Rescuers Called Off Search
A printable poster is available from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at http://www.ncmec.org/. Follow the search and rescue efforts on the Incident Team Reports page. With one of the largest search and rescue efforts in San Bernardino County history, over 260 searcher scoured the area near the Hanna Flat campground in a shoulder to shoulder search over the weekend for missing 9-year-old David Gonzales. "We feel that we've done everything there is to do and after nine days of going 24 hours we have to bring it to an end," said Chip Patterson of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Fighting back tears, fellow spokesperson, Cindy Beavers told KNBC-TV, "They have to go back to their home in Lake Elsinore without their 9-year-old son." Search Timeline
The boy's family had been convinced that David is not in the area. "David's not here," said David's father to his pastor on Sunday, stressing that David seldom strayed far from his parents. David's mother has continued to stress her suspicion of a full-sized beige pick-up truck with large tires carrying a motorcycle and ATV that was seen speeding away from the area. However, later reports indicate the vehicle may have been involved in a theft. "He could hide in very small spaces," said Beavers. "He could think his parents are very mad at him for walking away." Residents in fawnskin are urged to search barns, sheds, outbuildings, and seasonal properties.Saturday 8 AM - David was last seen walking to family truck for some cookies. Saturday Morning - Witnesses see David walking away from the vehicle and campground. Saturday - Rim of the World Search & Rescue and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department begin search. Monday - Search expands to 100 searchers, eight dog teams, and one helicopter. Tuesday - Searchers find tracks on Grays Peak, about a mile south of the campground. Search perimeter expanded to eight miles. Wednesday - Searchers find tracks about 1 1/2 miles north of the campground. Searchers hear a child's voice cry, "Daddy, daddy." Searchers find sock and bare footprints, which later turn out not to be David's. A Spanish-speaking woman is called in to try to lure out David if he is hiding. Thursday - Searchers expand search radius to 10 miles. Searchers bring in Gyro-Stabilized FLIR Helicopter with heat tracking. Searchers indicate that they were using the wrong Nike shoe pattern to match tracks against. Friday - More inconclusive hits by search dogs. Saturday - Search expands to 260 volunteers from Search and Rescue teams all over California. Saturday 9:30 AM - Searchers found a non-weathered child's plastic ring. Saturday 11:00 AM - Searchers found a skinned dear carcass, gloves, and a plastic tarp. Searchers hear gunshots in the area but are unable to locate hunters. Saturday 3:20 PM - Found child's white Nike tennis shoe and torn boxer briefs near 3N68 and 2N68. Saturday 3:45 PM - Found large bear pawprint. Found recently unfolded bandana. Saturday 3:55 PM - Bear den located. Saturday 4:00 PM - Found candy container near boxers. Saturday 5:30 PM - Bear den searched. Nothing found. Saturday 5:45 PM - Another possible subject footprint found. Sunday 11:45 AM - Searchers called back to command post to discuss scaling back. A trust fund has been set up at Washington Mutual to raise money to allow David's family to remain in the area during the search. Donations to the David Gonzales Search Fund, account number 9800003880488, can be made at any Washington Mutual branch. David had been camping at the Hanna Flat Campground, near Fawnskin, Saturday with his family. David Gonzales was last seen Saturday morning when he left the church group his family was with to get some cookies from the family's van. David never made it to the van and failed to return. The Sheriff's office was quickly notified. David was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt with a motorcycle design, gray sweatpants, and white Nike tennis shoes. David is 3'10" tall, has black hair and brown eyes, and weighs 52 pounds. He has one missing tooth and speaks mostly Spanish. David is learning disabled and has a speech impediment. David has a scar on his right knee and a mole near his navel. David's nickname is Davicho. Authorities are looking for a possible witness who sped away from the area in full-sized beige pick-up truck with large tires carrying a motorcycle and ATV. Authorities stated that there are no signs of foul play or an animal attack. However, there had been two mountain lions sighted in the area prior to David's disappearance. Since Saturday, sheriff's officers, Forest Service workers, and Rim of the World Search and Rescue volunteers have combed the campground area, over 10 miles from where the boy was last seen using helicopters, search dogs, and horses to no avail. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Big Bear Lake Sheriff's Station at (909) 356-3854 or dial 9-1-1. |
Created Sunday, August 1, 2004 |